From Common Bacteria to Superbugs

Electron Micrograph of Anti-biotic Resistant Bactera

Recently, a study has concluded that there are two genes which cause anti-biotic resistant bacteria. According to the Science Daily article, Common bacteria on verge of becoming antibiotic-resistant superbugs, these bacteria have already caused deaths in hospitals. It was explained that these bacteria are resistant to carbapenems, very strong anti-biotics used as a last resort.

There are two genes which cause this resistance: KPC found in New York and NDM-1 found in South Asia. A study proved that these two genes can be shared within a family of bacteria. These genes are very deadly for patients with vulnerable immune systems - there's a 50% or more mortality rate for these patients.

In addition to these findings, recent studies have found that intermingling of these two genes have already begun in China. Many experts are dreading this as it looks like the start of a "post anti-biotic era".

This is very alarming due to the fact that carbapenems are the hospitals' last resort on anti-biotic resistant bacteria, If new anti-biotics are not found soon, then the mortality rate for patients with weak immune systems will only increase. If carbapenems are a last resort for the most ill patients, than other anti-biotics used for the "not-so-critical" patients could most likely have no effect. This means that everyone is at risk to these new super-bugs and scientist need to search for a way to create new, stronger anti-biotics.

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